Electrical connection means



y 9, 1939- H A. DOUGLAS 2,158,004

ELECTRICAL CONNECTION MEANS Filed March 6, 1936 Hen: :3 A.-Dou.91a5

INvLNToR I Mm Patented May 9, 1939 UNITED STATES ELECTRICAL CONNECTION MEANS Harry A. Douglas, Bronson, Mich assignor to Kingston Products Corporation, a corporation oi Indiana Application March 6, 1936, Serial No. 87,474

17 Claims.

My invention relates to electrical connection means, and more particularly, to electrical connection means adapted for the reception of plug conductor terminals of the snap type. The princlpal object of my invention is to provide new and improved electrical connection means of these types.

Reference should be made to my copending application, Serial Number 57,620, filed January 4,

In the drawing accompanying this specification and forming a part of this application, I have shown, for purposes of illustration, several forms which my invention may assume, and in this 1 drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of my invention Figure 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the embodiment shown in Figure l, with certain parts shown in elevation, and showing in addition, in removed relation, a plug conductor terminal adapted for cooperation with the embodiment,

Figure 3 is an enlarged transverse section corresponding to the broken line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the connecting means shown in Figures 2 and 3,

Figure 5 illustrates a blank from which the connecting means may be formed,

Figure 6 is a longitudinal sectional View of a different embodiment of the invention, parts being shown in elevation,

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in Figure 6, and showing the parts in separated relation, and

Figure 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of a different embodiment of the invention, parts being shown in elevation.

Referring particularly to Figures 1 through 5, the embodiment of the invention disclosed therein comprises a receiving means designated generally by the reference numeral Hi. The receiving means In comprises a supporting or housing means ll, formed of suitable electrical insulating material, and an electrical connector means l2.

The housing means includes an elongated tubular member having an axial aperture |3, and an integral tubular member having an aperture M, the latter member being of lesser axial extent than the former member and being provided with a closed end l5 which merges with the elongated tubular member. As best shown in Figure 1, the end elevation of the two tubular members, or a transverse section therethrough, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 3, generally resembles'a horizonally disposed figure eight. The apertures l3 and II are separated slightly to provide a wall l6 therebetween, and this wall is longitudinally slotted as shown at ll so that the aperture l4, throughout its length, communicates with the aperture l3. It will be noted thatthe walls of the slot ll are generally opposite each other so as to provide for insertion oi the connector means l2 to a position within the housing means H, and also to hold the connecting means |2 against lateral displacement, although it will be appreciated that the walls of the apertures i3 and It also serve this latter purpose.

As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the outer walls of the tubular members generally conform to the shape of the inner walls thereof, and at a point adjacent the closed end I5 of the aperture H the top and bottom walls (referring toFigure 3) of the housing means intermediate the axes of, the tubular members, are provided with transverse apertures |8, here shown to be rectangular in formation, and surrounding each of the apertures I8 is a boss I 9, formed integral with the housing means The connector means |2 are preferably formed from a single stamping, as shown in Figure 5, and of a suitable electric current conducting material. The stamping shown in Figure 5 comprises an elongated part 20, having, at its longitudinal extremities, integral portions projecting from the longitudinal margins thereof. With reference to the disposition of the parts in Figure 5, the bottom longitudinal margin of the elongated part 20 is provided with downwardly extending portions 2| and 22 of generally the same length. The margins of each of the portions 2| and 22 taper gradually, as shown at 23, toward the center of the respective portion, and adjacent the extremity of each portion 2| and 22, the margins taper rather abruptly to a rounded point, as shown at 24. From the opposite longitudinal or upper margin of the elongated part 20 extend a portion 25 and a tongue 26, the portion 25 being aligned with the portion 22 but extending a greater distance away from the part 20. The portion 25 is provided with generally parallel margins 21 extending from the part 20, the margins 21, at a point spaced from the part 20, tapering slightly, and a further point tapering rather abruptly to a rounded point. as shown at 28 and 29, the tapered margins 28 and 29 being similar and generally equal in length to the tapered margins 23 and 24 of each of the portions 2| and 22.

The stamping, after being suitably formed, is shaped to conform to the shape best shown in Figure 4. It will be noted that the portions 22 and 25 are iormed to generally double ogee shape, with the abruptly tapered extremities 24 and 29 disposed adjacent to each other, and the portion defined by the paralle] margins 21 bent inwardly and disposed intermediate the loops formed by the portions 22 and 25. The portion 2| is bent similarly to the portion 22, and this portion forms a loop generally in axial alignment with the loop formed by the portion 22. The elongated part 20 is also transversely curved to form a continuation of the curved surfaces of the loops formed by the portions 2| and 22. As best seen in Figure 3, the loops formed by theportions 2|, 22, and 25, are generally circular in transverse section, and the abruptly tapered extremity of each portion is bent out of the locus of the circle and inwardly with respect to the respective loop.

The connector means I 2 may be assembled with the housing'means II by sliding the loop formed by the portion 2| inwardly and from the right hand side (Figure 2) of the housing means Means may be provided to properly position the connector means with respect to the housing means, and a suitable tool may be inserted through one of the apertures l8 to bend the tongue 26 into the other of the apertures l8,

- as shown in Figure 3, to thereby securely hold the housing means Hand connector means I 2 in assembled position.

Plug conductors 30, two of which are shown in Figure 2, are adapted to cooperate with the loops formed by portions 2|, 22, and 25, and these plug conductors comprise a generally cylindrical part 3| provided with an annular groove 32 and a tapered extremity 33. A conductor 34. disposed within the plug conductor 30, may be secured thereto by swedging, as indicated by the swedge indentations 35.

Insertion of the plug conductor 30 into any one of the loops, for instance the loop formed by the portion 22, will cause the tapered extremity 33 of the plug conductor 33 to cam the extremity24 of the portion 22 outwardly, to provide for the accommodation of the cylindrical part 3|, and further insertion will cause the exto thereby hold the plug conductor 30 in operative position. Toremove the plug conductor 30,

a pull on the conductor will cause the surface of the annular groove 32 to cam outwardly the extremity 24, to provide for the removal of the cylindrical part 3| of the plug conductor 33.

Referringto Figures 6 and 7, the embodiment therein disclosed comprises a supporting or housing means 33, formed of suitable insulating material, and a connector means 31 formed of suitable electric current conducting, material.

The housing means 36 is provided with a generally cylindrical part 33 which merges with a tubular part 39, the latter part being of a width generally equal to the diameter of the cylindrical part 33, but being transversely elongated to a flattened horizontally disposed O-shape. The tubular part 39 merges with the cylindrical part 33 intermediate the extremities of the housing means 36 by means of tapered wall portions as shown at 40.

The connector means 31 is preferably formed from a single flat stamping somewhat similar to the stamping from which the connecting means I! is'formed. The stamping is subsequently formed to a shape best shown in Figure 7, to provide loops 4|, 42, and 43 similar to the loops formed by the portions 2|, 22, and 25 of body portion 44 connects the 10 p 4| with the loops 42 and 43, and a tongue 4 is formed intermediate the margins of the body portion 44, and intermediate the loop 4| and the loops 42 and 43.

The connector means 31 is assembled with the housing means 35 by inserting the loop 4| through the tubular part 39 and into the cylindrical part 38, and suitable means may be provided to properly align the connecting means 31 with respect to the housing means 36. As inthe case of the embodiment shown in Figures 1 through 5, the housing means 36 is provided with oppositely disposed apertures 46, and the tongue 45 may be bent into operative position into one of the apertures by suitably manipulating a tool interposed through the other aperture.

Lateral movement of the connecting means 31 with respect to the housing means 36 is limited by reason of the fact that theloops 42 and 43 closely fit within the inner surface of the tubular part 39. It will be understood that plug conductors similar to the plug conductors 33 may be received and held within any one or all of the loops 4|, 42, and 43 in a manner similar to that already described.

In Figure 8, a diilerent embodiment is shown, and this embodiment employs a plurality of connector means generally similar to the connector means l2 disclosed in the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 through 5. As shown, two connector means |2a and I2?) are provided, the connector means'being respectively disposed in portions 48 and 49 of a housing means 53. Each of the portions 48 and 49 is generally similar to the housing means II, and accommodates the respective connector means in a similar manner. In this embodiment, however, it is preferred to make the loops on the connector means |2a somewhat smaller than the loops on the connector means |2b, so that plug conductors of one size may be inserted into the loops of the connector means |2a, and plug conductors of a different size may be inserted into the loops of the connector means |2b. In this manner, plug conductors intended for engagement with connector means |2a'cannot inadvertently be connected to connector means |2b. In some cases, however, it is desirable to make the loops of the connector means |2a and |2b of the same size so as toaccommodate one particular size of plug conductor.

As shown, the connector means I 2a and |2b are preferably disposed within the housing means 30 in oppositely disposed relation. In other words, the loop portions 2|a and 2|b of the respective connecting means are accessible from opposite sides of the housing means 50, and the connector means are insulated from each other by means ofa partition 5|, here shown to be integral with the housing means 50.

Each of the connecting means |2a and |2b is held assembled with the housing means 50 by bending tongues 26a and 26b, formed respectively on the connector'means |2a and 2b, into apertures Illa and lb formed respectively in the portions .48 and 49 of the housing means 50.

With the construction shown in Figure 8, six conductors may be mechanically connected together, one conductor on one side of the housing means 50 being electrically connected to two on the other side.

From the foregoing it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the illustrated embodiment of my invention provides a new and improved electrical connection means economical in construction and assembly, and accordingly, accomplishes at least the principal object of my invention. It further will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the illustrated embodiment oi! my invention may be variously changed and modified without departing from the spirit of my invention, or sacrificing all of the advantages thereof, and that accordingly, the disclosure herein is illustrative only, and my invention is not limited thereto.

I claim:

1. An electrical connecting device, comprising: a body, having a passage extending therethrough, said passage being formed to provide an enlarged part and a restricted cylindrical part; and a circuit continuing member, having spaced apart split cylindrical first means fitting in the enlarged part of the passage for simultaneously receiving a certain maximum number of conductor terminals, and having split cylindrical second means fitting in the restricted part for receiving a certain lesser maximum number of terminals; said means being spaced apart and independently operable or each other; said member being so constructed and arranged that said second means may be moved to position within said restricted part only by inserting said second means axially into said passage from the enlarged part of said passage.

2. An electrical connecting device, comprising: a body, having a passage extending through said body from end to end, and at least one recess, oflset laterally from said passage; said recess extending inwardly from one end of said body, with a lateral recess portion communicating with the adjacent portion of said passage, and terminating intermediate the ends of said body; connector means for electrically connecting a plurality of conductor terminals, said connector means having two socket means unitary with each other and disposed in said passage to receive conductor terminals inserted into the ends of said passage respectively, and also having third socket means disposed in said recess to receive a conductor terminal inserted into the entrance end of said recess, said third socket means and one of said two socket means being spaced apart and so constructed and arranged that they are unitarily joined by a part disposed in said lateral recess portion, and said two socket means being each independently operable of said third socket means.

3. An electrical connecting device, comprising: a body, having a chamber having entrance openings at opposite ends 01' said body, one of said entrance openings being larger than the other, said larger entrance opening communicating with an enlarged part of said chamber and said other entrance opening communicating with a constricted part of said chamber; and a circuit continuing member having an enlarged part providing spaced apart split cylindrical receptacles disposed in said enlarged chamber portion and having a smaller part providing a split cylindrical receptacle disposed in said constricted part of said chamber, said receptacles of said enlarged part of said circuit continuing member being constructed and arranged to simultaneously receive a certain maximum number of conductor terminals inserted through said one entrance opening, and said receptacles of said smaller portion of said circuit continuing member being constructed and arranged to receive and retain a conductor terminal independently of the enlarged part of the member.

4. An electrical connecting device, comprising: a body, having a passage extending therethrough, said passage being formed to provide an enlarged part and a restricted part; a circuit continuing member, having first means fitting in the enlarged part of the passage for receiving a certain maximum number of conductor terminals, and

having second means fitting in the restricted part for receiving a certain lesser maximum number of terminals; said means being independently operable of each other abutment means provided on said body intermediate'said enlarged part and said restricted part; and means provided on said circuit continuing member adjacent the inner extremities of said first and second means projecting into engagement with said abutment 'means whereby to lock said body and .member in assembly.

. 5. An electrical connecting device,- comprising: a body, having a passage extending therethrough, said passage being formed to provide an enlarged part and a restricted part; a circuit continuing member, having spaced apart independently operable split cylindrical first means fitting in the enlarged part of the passage for engaging a certain maximum number of conductor terminals, and having split cylindrical second means independently operable or said first means fitting in the restricted part for engaging a certain lesser maximum number of terminals; said member being so constructed and arranged that said second means may be moved to position within said restricted part only by inserting said second means into said body therewithin; abutment means within said body; and means provided on I openings at opposite ends of said body, one of said entrance openings being larger than the other, said larger entrance opening communicating with an enlarged part of said chamber and said other entrance opening communicating with a constricted part of said chamber; a second chamber substantially parallel to and conversely of the first chamber having entrance openings at opposite ends of said body, one 01' said entrance openings being larger than the other, said larger entrance opening communicating with an enlarged part of said chamber and said other entrance opening communicating with a constricted part of said chamber; and a circuit continuing member insertable into either of said chambers and having an enlarged part disposed in one of said enlarged chamber portions and having a smaller part disposed in one of the constricted parts of said chamber, said enlarged part of said circuit continuing member being constructed and arranged to be engaged by a certain maximum number of conductor terminals inserted through one of said larger entrance openings, and said smaller portion of said circuit continuing member being constructed and arranged to be engaged by a certain lesser maximum numberof conductor terminals adapted to be inserted through one of the smaller entrance openings.

' '7. An electrical connecting device, comprising:

a body, having a chamber having entrance openings at opposite ends of said body one of said entrance openings being larger than the other, said larger entrance opening communicating with an enlarged part of said chamber and said other entrance opening communicating with a constricted part of said chamber; a circuit continuing member having an enlarged part providing independently operable receptacles disposed in said enlarged chamber portion and having a smaller part providing a receptacle independently operable of the receptacles of said enlarged part disposed in said constricted part of said chamber, said enlarged part of said circuit continuing member being constructed and arranged to receive a certain maximum number of conductor terminals inserted through said one entrance opening, and said smaller portion of said circuit continuing member being constructed and arranged to receive a certain lesser maximum number of conductor terminals inserted through said other entrance opening; abutment means on said body; and means associated with the innerextremities of said receptacles projecting from said continuing member engaging said abutment means whereby to lock said member and said body to:- gether.

8. An electrical connecting device, comprising: a unitary circuit continuing member of sheet material, having means at one side for receiving a certain maximum number of plug conductor terminals of the snap-type, and having means at another side for receiving a' certain different maximum number of plug conductor terminals of the snap-type; each of said receiving means being independently operable and having an entrance end and each having a part spaced from said entrance end, said part forming detent means being constructed and arranged to resiliently engage a portion of the snap-type plug conductor terminal disposed therein, to mechanically and electrically hold the plug conductor terminal assembled with the receiving means.

9. An electrical connecting device, comprising: a unitary circuit continuing member of sheet material, having split cylindrical means at one side for receiving a certain maximum number of plug conductor terminals of the'snap-type, and having split cylindrical means at another side for receiving a certain different maximum number of plug conductor terminals of the snap-type; each of said receiving means being independently operable and constructed and arranged to resiliently engage the terminal disposed therein, and detent means associated with each receiving means adapted to engage a terminal assisting to retain same in said receiving means.

10. An electrical connecting device, comprising: a single piece of sheet-metal, having movable portions projecting in opposite directions from opposite margins, said projecting portions being bent inwardly toward each other, and being so constructed and arranged as to form a certain maximum number of conductor terminal receiving means at one end of said device, and a certain difierent maximum number of conductor terminal receiving means at the other end, eachof said receiving means being independently operable and extending in parallel relation, and each including detent means cooperable with said terminals. I

11. An electrical connecting device, comprising: a sheet metal circuit continuing member, stamped into shape and so constructed. and arranged that one end of said member provides a on each of said pair of certain maximum number of Jack means and the other end of said member provides at least a pair of non-intersecting independently operable lack means; at least said pair of Jack means being constructed and arranged to provide means to simultaneously receive and resiliently hold a pair of conductor terminals, and detent means jack means cooperating with said terminals assisting to hold said terminals in said pair of Jack means.

12. An electrical connecting device, comprising: an integral sheet metal circuit-continuing member, stamped into shape and so constructed and arranged that one end of said member provides a certain maximum number 01' jack means and the other end of said member provides at least a pair of non-intersecting independently operable split cylindrical Jack means; at least said pair of jack means being constructed and arranged to simultaneously receive and resiliently retain a pair of conductor terminals, and detent means associated with each of said jack means cooperating with said terminals.

13. An electrical connecting device, comprising: asheet metal circuitcontinuing member rolled into shape to provide opposite end portions constructed and arranged to form axially aligned oppositely-disposed independently operable jack means, each constructed and arranged to receive and resiliently retain a conductor terminal inserted therein, said member having another portion constructed and arranged to form a third jack means adjacent one of said oppositely-disposed jack means, said third jack means and said adjacent jack means being non-intersecting and constructed and arranged each simultaneously to receive a conductor terminal.

14. An electrical connecting device consisting of two members: one being a body of insulating material provided with an opening; the other being a sheet metal circuit continuing member of generally 0 shape in cross section arranged in said opening, the extremities of the C providing non-intersecting receptacles each adapted to receive and resiliently retain a terminal; said body member having cooperating means; and the continuing member having an integral portion projecting outwardly from the back of the C in a direction opposite to its extremities into interlocking relation with said cooperating means whereby to permanently lock said members in assembly.

15. An electrical connecting device, comprising: an integral sheet metal circuit continuing member, stamped into shape and so constructed and arranged that one end of said member provides a certain maximum number of jack means and the other end of said member provides at least a pair of independently operable split cylindrical jack means; atleast said pair of non-inten secting jack means'being constructed and arranged to simultaneously receive and resiliently retain a pair of conductor terminals whereby said terminals will not intersect each other, and detent means associated with each of said jack means cooperating with said terminals; and means arranged centrally of saidmember whereby said member may be secured with respect to a support.

16. An electrical connecting device, comprising: a unitary circuit continuing member of sheet material, having split cylindrical means at one side for rece'lving a certain maximum number of plug conductor terminals of the snap-type, and having split cylindrical means at another side for receiving a certain difierent maximum number of plug conductor terminals of the snap-type; each of said receiving means being independently operable and constructed and arranged to resiliently engage the terminal disposed therein; detent means associated with each receiving means adapted to engage a terminal assisting to retain same in said receiving means; and means for securing the member to a support arranged on said member remote from said cylindrical means.

17. An electrical connecting device, comprising: a single piece of sheet-metal, having movable portions projecting in opposite directions from opposite margins, said projecting portions being bent inwardly toward each other, and being so constructed and arranged as to form a certain maximum number of conductor terminal receiving means at one end of said device, and a certain different maximum number of conductor terminal receiving means at the other end, each of said receiving means being independently operable and extending in parallel relation, and each including detent means cooperable with said terminals, and preformed means independent of said movable portions provided on said piece for attaching the piece to a support.

HARRY A. DOUGLAS. 

